About Us

About us

Our purpose at St Fidelis is to provide the very best in Catholic Education for the children of today. We strive to provide learning spaces for personalised and cooperative learning that prepare children for a future of lifelong learning. We are committed to ensuring success in the key competencies of literacy and numeracy, as well as an inquiry approach to learning. We engage the expertise of Inquiry Education Consultant Kath Murdoch to build the capacity of all learners within the community. We unpack the Learning Assets of self-manager, collaborator, researcher, thinker and communicator and promote their embedded life skills.

St Fidelis’ Catholic Primary School has a proud tradition of providing quality Catholic education for over ninety years in the Moreland area. It is located approximately 10 kilometres from the central Melbourne CBD, in an area well serviced by public transport and adjacent to the Tullamarine Freeway. The school grounds are located in a well-established, primarily residential zone.  We utilise a range of local facilities including Shore Reserve, Dunstan Reserve and Cross Keys Reserve.

The school has two main buildings – one on Saunders Street and the other on Hawthorn Street with our administration office located in Saunders Street building.

There are 15 classroom spaces, a dedicated VISUAL ART ROOM, a separate STEM (Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics) innovative learning space, a Library Resource space, a Multipurpose Hall and a Gymnasium.

In December 2019, St Fidelis were recipients of $1.95 million from the Victorian Government Capital Funding grant, which saw an extensive upgrade of ten classrooms and learning spaces.

This involved a complete guttering and a redesign of learning spaces to ensure an environment that is flexible, comfortable, well ventilated and conducive to contemporary learning and teaching in the twenty-first century. The upgrade also saw the extensive laying of artificial grass outside the learning areas to ensure learning can happen outside.

An additional four new Shade sails were erected with the support of the Victorian Shade Sail Grant in 2021. Three in the Saunders Street campus and one in the Hawthorn street campus.

The addition of these shade sails to our playground area allows for much welcomed shade and opportunities to engage in learning outside under cover utilising the space in both summer and the cooler months.

We saw the completion of this extensive upgrade at the end of the 2021 school year. At the beginning of 2022 the new learning spaces and upgraded will be opened and ready for learning for all student and their families to enjoy and thrive.

There are three main playground areas, which were extensively refurbished in 2014/15 and two adventure playgrounds. All the utilised classrooms have air-conditioning, heating and Air purifiers. The school buildings and surrounds are well maintained and provide a safe, inspiring and nurturing learning environment for the students and staff.

Our specialist programs – Visual Arts, LOTE (Italian) STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics )  and Physical Education – complement and enhance our English, Mathematics and Religious Education core curriculum programs. Technologies both design and digital are fully integrated into the learning and teaching program across all curriculum and levels from Foundation to Year 6.

Parent engagement is an important aspect of school life. We are a friendly, open and supportive school community that works together to provide many opportunities for students to achieve success and develop self-esteem. We welcome the opportunity to collaborate with parents with the aim of developing their children spiritually, academically, physically and emotionally.

History

St. Fidelis Catholic School, Moreland, has a proud tradition of providing quality education in faith and knowledge to families in our parish for over 90 years. The school was opened on April 28, 1927 by Archbishop Daniel Mannix and administered by the Sisters of Mercy. The first Principal was Sister Mary Helena. The initial intake was 128 pupils and this swelled to 350 within 12 months. St. Fidelis Church (located in Clarendon street) was opened in 1938 and the celebration of Sunday Mass moved from the school to the new church. In 1961, a second campus opened in Pascoe Vale, called Our Lady of Perpetual Succour. The first lay principal was appointed in 1975.

A major refurbishment was undertaken at the Junior Campus in late 2003. This involved a redesign of the office/administration areas and the addition of a new first aid facility and multipurpose staff offices and planning areas and the joining of the two buildings at Saunders Street.

In May 2011 we closed our Pascoe Vale South Campus and all students are now located at our Saunders Street Campus. Our new flexible learning space, built on the site of the previous hall, has provided us with a new hall, basketball court, kitchen and meeting rooms and our Senior Learning Area built on level one. Our current enrolment is approximately 212.

In December 2019, St Fidelis were recipients of $1.95 million from the Victorian Government Capital Funding grant which saw an extensive upgrade of ten classrooms and learning spaces.

This involved a complete guttering and a redesign of learning spaces to ensure an environment that is flexible, comfortable, well ventilated and conducive to contemporary learning and teaching in the twenty-first century. The upgrade also saw the extensive laying of artificial grass outside the learning areas to ensure learning can happen outside. An additional four new Shade sails were erected with the support of the Victorian Shade Sail Grant in 2021. This welcomed addition to our playground area allows for much welcomed shade and opportunities to engage in learning outside under cover utilising the space in both summer and the cooler months.

At the beginning of 2022 the students and families will begin the year in these wonderful learning spaces.

In 2020, St Fidelis saw a change in the clergy of the parish. Father Cartwright who had been at St Fidelis for fourteen years was called to begin and  serve in the Bayside Mission of Brighton. Since then, we have been under the pastoral guidance of Fr Greg Bourke and Fr Linh Pham who have been appointed to guide the Brunswick and Moreland Catholic Mission, a joint endeavour of the parishes of St. Fidelis Moreland, St. Joseph’s Brunswick West, Our Lady Help of Christians Brunswick West, and St. Ambrose’s Brunswick.  The Mission parishes are working together to find a common approach. The three schools (St. Fidelis, St. Joseph’s and Our Lady’s) are also exploring ways to work more closely together.

Our Parish Priests, Father Tran Tho and Father Linh Pham, are involved in the school and regularly visit St Fidelis School. Our students attend class and whole school masses on a regular basis throughout the school year.

Vision & Mission

Our Vision

St Fidelis Catholic Primary School: Inspiring and Empowering the learners of today to be the voices that shape tomorrow

Our Mission

As an integral part of the Brunswick and Moreland Mission, we are guided by the Catholic Social Teachings and its traditions. We foster an inclusive, safe learning environment that cultivates a love for learning and respectful relationships. Our curriculum promotes the 21st century skills such as critical thinking, creativity, communication collaboration to develop the learners of tomorrow

Core Values

In the tradition of St Fidelis and the charism of the Mercy Order we live the values of:

Kindness
Respect
Relationships
Welcoming
Empathy

Our School Community

“Parents have a particularly important role to play in the educating community, since it is to them that primary and natural responsibility for their children’s education belongs.” (Congregation for Catholic Education 1997)

At St Fidelis, we are committed to strengthening parent partnerships and promoting active engagement in a range of school activities designed to impact positively on the learning and wellbeing of students and the school as a community centre of learning. This partnership between parents and staff is crucial to the effectiveness of our learning community. There are many ways parents and families contribute to our community.

Our Faith

Sacraments

St Fidelis Primary School partners with parents to nurture the Catholic faith and prepare children to receive the Sacraments of Reconciliation, Eucharist and Confirmation.

Supported by the Religious Education Curriculum, St Fidelis Foundation to Year 6 students engage in learning about the Sacraments of Christian Initiation: Baptism, Eucharist and Confirmation; the Sacraments of Healing: Reconciliation and Anointing of the Sick and the Sacraments of Service.

Year 3: Sacrament of Reconciliation
To prepare the Year 2 students for Reconciliation, parents are asked to continue to talk to their children about their learning at school about the Sacrament of Reconciliation and share their own faith understanding about the Sacrament with their child.

Families will be asked to attend a Reconciliation Parent/Child workshop in preparation for the Celebration of Reconciliation which takes place at St Fidelis Church.

Year 4: Sacrament of Eucharist
A number of opportunities are provided to ensure your child is well prepared to receive the Sacrament of Eucharist. We ask that parents participate in the following in support of their child:

  • Passport Sundays four weeks prior to the Eucharist celebration
  • Parent/Child workshops leading up to the First Eucharist Mass
  • First Eucharist Mass, celebrated at St Fidelis Church
  • First Eucharist Thanksgiving Mass held at 11am at St Fidelis Church the Sunday following the First Eucharist Mass. This is followed by parish/school morning tea and presentation of certificates in the school hall.

Year 6: Sacrament of Confirmation
Families are encouraged to talk with their children about faith and the Sacrament of Confirmation. A number of opportunities are provided for families to assist with preparing their child for Confirmation:

  • Passport Sundays four weeks prior to the Confirmation celebration
  • Parent/Child workshops leading up to the Confirmation celebration
  • Confirmation Presentation Mass, officiated by the Bishop and held on a Friday evening at St Fidelis Church
  • Confirmation Thanksgiving Mass held at 11am at St Fidelis Church the Sunday following Confirmation. This is followed by parish/school morning tea and presentation of certificates in the school hall.

Liturgy & Prayer

Our school community gathers a number of times throughout the year to celebrate Eucharistic and non-Eucharistic liturgies. Students participate in liturgies in a variety of ways such as reading scripture, prayers and presenting reflections.

Prayer is integral to the everyday life at St. Fidelis. We encourage opportunities for staff, students and families to connect and pray during morning and afternoon prayer, assemblies, liturgies, staff meetings, faith workshops and family weekend Masses.

‘Prayer is key to a living faith, nourishing the soul and orienting each person to God’. (Horizons of Hope, Education framework for the Archdiocese of Melbourne 2019).

Parent Helpers

Parents have the opportunity to be a part of the learning process for the students at St Fidelis. Parent Helpers assist in the classroom by engaging a small group of children with a teacher led activity to help them to focus on learning tasks specific to the students’ learning needs.  Parent Helpers can also assist on class excursions, helping during Book Week, School Sports days and visiting the school to share their expertise with the students about their job or passion. Parent Helper workshops are held each year for those interested in assisting in this way.

All Parent Helpers are likely to be engaged in child-connected work and therefore the school ensures that they comply with the requirements of the Victorian Government’s Child Safe Standards. A Working with Children (WWC) Check is required for all parents undertaking this work.

TheirCare Before & After School Programs

TheirCare provides adventurous and stimulating Before & After School Care Programs in a safe environment for all children. During sessions children develop life skills, friendships, confidence and creativity through play.

St Fidelis Catholic Primary School has partnered with TheirCare to provide this service to your school which includes quality care, booking flexibility, amazing programming for your children and commitment to deliver on our promise to your school community.

Registration is free, so we encourage all our families to register – your child will be safe and looked after in the unlikely event of an emergency.

TheirCare contact details

Service Phone Number: 0438 978 132

Your service coordinator will be available during session office hours if required on 1300 072 410. TheirCare support is available during office hours if required on 1300 072 410.

How to Enrol

Visit TheirCare website: www.theircare.com.au and click on ‘Book Now’ in the top right hand corner to register your child’s details.

Parents & Friends

Our Parents and Friends Association promote both social and fundraising events. At St Fidelis, we are extremely lucky to have a wonderful group of parents who work side by side with the school to coordinate fundraising events, represent parents within the community and facilitate a variety of fun events for our students and families to engage in.

Our primary goal is to further establish friendships amongst our families and staff whilst encouraging active participation by parents in the life of our school through our many social and fundraising events.

Social events are an essential part of the development of community spirit within our school. In the past we have offered Foundation Family Welcome Nights, Family Fun Nights,Trivia Nights, Parish and School family pizza nights, Art/STEM showcases and a Christmas market (just to name a few).

Fundraising events raise much-needed funds for our school. Government funding is often hard to come by, especially for items such as school upkeep and extra educational needs (e.g. upgrading take home reading books, multiple copies of good literature, numeracy equipment, sports equipment, extra iPads, Chrome books and other IT equipment.)

At St Fidelis, it is our aim to offer a wide range of fundraisers in order to cater for our school families and their needs. There is NEVER pressure to be involved in every fundraiser and there is an attempt to spread them out throughout the school year.  Some examples of fundraising events include: Hot Cross Bun Drive, Easter & Christmas Raffles Colour Explosion Run, Regular Lunch order days, second hand uniform stalls, Bunnings Sausage.

Sizzle, Mother and Fathers stall (just to name a few).

The money raised by the P& F in 2019-2021 has been an enormous injection of money to begin our STEM program. The funds raised has been put towards buying equipment to resource the STEM Innovation Space these include: Lego Robotics equipment, Extra iPads, QR code cubes, our magnificent LEGO Wall (built by one of our parents) just to name a few.

All families are welcome and strongly encouraged to participate in these events to meet other families and support the fundraising efforts of our learning community.

Meetings are held about once a month during each Term – all parents and friends welcome.

School Tours!

Now open by appointment.